TNA did a lot right in the last hour of their "Super Impact" show this week. This was the last Impact before the biggest TNA show of the year, Bound for Glory, and the company went all out on this show with a PPV caliber line up.

If you showed up for the bonus extra hour of Impact you saw one of the best matches of the year on free TV, TNA Champ A.J. Styles vs. Kurt Angle. This great match ended in a 20 minute time limit draw. The return of the time limit draw to big time TV wrestling is a welcome surprise, and TNA chose the right time to re-institute this often useful finish. Both men gave us enough of an effort that we don't feel ripped off and it builds anticipation for a post BFG, no time limit rematch.

The production team deserves special recognition for the brilliantly produced BFG preview sections. These engaging pieces were the equal of any UFC or HBO countdown show prior to a big fight. The wrestlers involved came across as realistic and passionate. The calm, sincere acting by all involved in these segments were as effective as anything TNA's ever done in terms of getting over the characters involved, the will to win, and the importance of the big show. The viewer was allowed to see these characters as "real people," and an emotional connection between wrestler and viewer is the result.

In this stellar last hour of Impact, TNA was a company that showcased two of the best wrestlers in the promotion battling one-on-one where winning meant everything. TNA was a company rooted in grounded, realistic, MMA style characters that the fans can connect to. In the last stellar hour of Impact, TNA showed us what the future of the business could be.

Marc Warzecha usually does satire for PWTorch including a monthly online-exclusive in the PWTorch Newsletter. Email Marc Warzecha at TorchWarz@yahoo.com.

[A.J. Styles photo by Wade Keller (c) PWTorch]

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